ABSTRACT
Applied sociology, offers a helpful foundation of understanding that is used across a wide variety of occupational settings and activities. Those work activities will, take place within an organizational context for the most part. This chapter focuses on organizational context. A key factor in this regard is organizational culture. Indeed, the culture of an organization and its various subcultures are a major influence on working life at a number of levels. Applied sociology plays an important role by being aware of workplace changes and helping people to: make the best of any positive elements; while safeguarding people, as far as possible, from the negative effects of change. Leadership is one of those terms that are used in different ways by different people. The chapter uses the role of significant organizational players to influence the culture in a positive direction, so that everyone benefits: employees; managers; clients, customers and patients; and other stakeholders.
